Patriot (Hades Abyss MC 6) - Harley Wylde Page 0,12
a permanent spot in Patriot’s bed. How many of the others were hoping to end up with one of the bikers? All of them?
I almost felt sorry for them.
“She doesn’t have to apologize,” I said.
“Yes, she does,” Patriot said, a little growl to his voice. “She insulted you. She’s a fucking club whore and you’re…”
“I’m what?” I asked. “Your unwanted houseguest? Galahad’s cousin? I know you said you haven’t been with anyone, and you kissed me, but… I don’t know what exactly that means.”
“You’re mine,” Patriot said, not even looking my way.
My heart flipped, then flopped as my stomach dropped to my toes. His? He thought I was his? Sure, we’d kissed a few times now. I’d slept in his arms. But… his? I glanced at my cousin, but he didn’t seem the least bit surprised. Did the entire club know he thought I belonged to him?
The club whore squeaked as he gave her another rough shake. “Apologize now!”
“I’m sorry!” She struggled to break free. “I didn’t know you had an old lady. I’m sorry and I won’t do it again.”
Patriot released her with a slight shove that sent her sprawling on her ass. Sean snickered and walked past her, not even offering to help her up. Both men approached me, and I felt like a deer being hunted by wolves. The urge to run was strong, but I held my ground.
“Yours?” I asked softly.
“I’ve been giving you time to heal,” Patriot said. “And you can still take all the time you want, Little Bit. I haven’t wanted another woman since you moved into my house, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. But yeah, you’re mine and everyone around here knows it. If they don’t, they’re fucking stupid.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I decided to set all that aside for later. “The hot chocolate is cold by now.”
His lips twitched like he was fighting not to smile. “Guess we’d better make more, right after you shower and change.”
I nodded and hurried into the house, Patriot and Galahad on my heels. I went upstairs and grabbed a clean set of clothes in my bedroom before using the hall bathroom to rinse off and change. Thankfully, it hadn’t gotten in my hair. I pulled the long tresses up into a messy knot on the top of my head while the shower warmed. When steam billowed out, I stepped under the spray and washed the sticky drink off my skin.
I tried to hurry, knowing both Patriot and Galahad were downstairs. I didn’t know if my cousin had come to see me or Patriot, but I didn’t want to miss his visit either way. After I dried off, I pulled on a soft red sweater. I paired it with green leggings that had a Santa print all over them, and my candy cane-striped fuzzy socks. I left my hair up, and briefly lamented my lack of makeup. I hadn’t wanted any since Patriot had rescued me, but after seeing the way the club whores dressed and looked, I wouldn’t have minded a little blush or lip gloss.
Then again, Patriot seemed to like me the way I was so maybe I didn’t need any.
Archimedes must have followed me. He sprawled across the top of the stairs, watching the bathroom door as if he’d been waiting for me. I knew animals were sensitive and wondered if he’d felt the tension outside. I stopped a moment to scratch behind his ear. “Such a good boy.”
He panted and stood. Hurrying down the stairs, I heard Patriot bellow from the kitchen. “Slow the fuck down, Little Bit, before you fall and bust your ass.”
My cheeks flushed as I remembered the first time I’d raced down the stairs. My feet had gone out from under me and I’d slid the rest of the way down on my butt. I’d been bruised and sore for a few days, but mostly my pride had been hurt.
When I entered the kitchen, Patriot had three steaming cups on the table, and Galahad had already taken a seat. I picked up the bag of marshmallows on the counter and added extra to my cup before taking a seat. Patriot pulled out the chair between Sean and me, then sprawled in a way that I’d always found to be both casual and sexy. I didn’t think he intended to make me drool a little.
“You know you need to officially claim her,” Galahad said. “We may all know she’s yours, but if you